Angelique van Deursen, a resident of Helmond, frequently enough found herself standing on the street in her pajamas, reliving the trauma of abuse she endured during her youth. Despite her struggles, she claims the Mental Health Service (GGZ) failed to provide the support she desperately needed. Angelique’s story highlights a broader issue: many individuals with mental health challenges fall through the cracks because they aren’t deemed an immediate threat. According to Angelique and Onno Hoes, who has researched this vulnerable group, shorter dialog lines between care providers and a more structured approach are essential to addressing the problem. “Therapy can definitely help you revive everything, they said,” Angelique recalls, reflecting on the dismissive response she received when seeking help.
For over 25 years, Angelique endured abuse, which left her with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and a dissociative disorder. These conditions caused frequent blackouts and flashbacks, leaving her disoriented and disconnected from reality. “Then I would stand in my pajamas looking confused on the street, as if I were an eight-year-old girl again,” she shares. These episodes frequently enough prompted concerned passersby to call the police,who became a recurring presence in her life.
“A police officer is not a first responder.”
While Angelique expresses gratitude for the police’s intervention,she emphasizes that they are not equipped to provide the care she needed. “I am very grateful to them for that, but a police officer is not a care provider. You do not become a police officer to be a therapist,” she says. Recent police data reveals a troubling trend: reports of disturbances caused by confused individuals have risen in more than half of Brabant’s municipalities.
Despite her repeated pleas for therapy, Angelique felt dismissed by the GGZ. “I asked for therapy several times, but they said: With therapy, you revive everything. Isn’t everything going well now? You have your family, your husband, and the police as a safety net,” she recounts. Onno Hoes, who previously led a government task force addressing this issue, argues that the system should prioritize mental health services over law enforcement.“The mental health system should be the safety net and not the police,” he asserts.
Hoes also criticizes the GGZ for using patient privacy as a barrier to collaboration. “It varies per institution and region, but they frequently enough do not want to share data with other parties. This must be stopped,” he says.Angelique echoes this sentiment, stressing the need for quicker responses from care providers. “The shorter the lines, the faster a care provider will arrive. If I was taken to the police station and the crisis service only arrived after four hours, then I was back in the here and now. The assessment of the GGZ was therefore diffrent,” she explains.
“When GGZ came after four o’clock, I was back in the here and now.”
Angelique and Hoes advocate for innovative solutions, such as the “psycholance,” a specialized ambulance for confused individuals. This vehicle, staffed by a GP driver and a mental health nurse, provides a low-stimulus surroundings to transport patients to appropriate facilities. They also support the idea of having mental health specialists in police control rooms, a proposal championed by Northern Netherlands police chief Martin Sitalsing. However, hoes believes the most critical step is establishing a dedicated government role to address the issue. “At the intersection of healthcare and safety, ther should actually be a special State Secretary or group between the various departments to tackle this problem,” he suggests.
Today, Angelique has found stability with the help of a welfare institution and her assistance dog. “The LEV group helped me find volunteer work, which put me outside again and gave me a purpose in life. My assistance dog is the best rescuer ever and keeps me in the here and now,” she says. Meanwhile, GGZ Oost Brabant is collaborating with the police and other stakeholders to improve coordination, though they have declined to comment on the recent figures.
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interview with Dr.Eva Meijer, Clinical Psychologist and Mental Health Advocate
Archyde News Editor: Dr.Meijer, thank you for joining us today. Angelique van Deursen’s story has shed light on the challenges faced by individuals with complex mental health needs. As a clinical psychologist, what are your thoughts on her experience with the Mental Health Service (GGZ)?
Dr. Eva Meijer: Thank you for having me. Angelique’s story is heartbreaking but, unfortunately, not uncommon. Manny individuals with severe trauma, like PTSD and dissociative disorders, frequently enough find themselves in a system that struggles to meet their needs.The GGZ, while well-intentioned, is frequently enough overwhelmed by high demand and limited resources. This leads to long waiting lists and, in some cases, dismissive responses to patients who aren’t deemed an immediate threat. Angelique’s case highlights the urgent need for a more structured and compassionate approach to mental health care.
Archyde News editor: Angelique mentioned that she frequently experienced blackouts and flashbacks, which left her disoriented and disconnected from reality. How can mental health services better support individuals with such severe symptoms?
Dr. Eva Meijer: Individuals with PTSD and dissociative disorders require specialized, trauma-informed care. This means creating a treatment plan that acknowledges the depth of their trauma and provides consistent, long-term support. Shorter dialog lines between care providers, as Angelique and onno Hoes have suggested, are crucial. A more integrated approach, where therapists, psychiatrists, and social workers collaborate closely, can ensure that patients like Angelique receive the extensive care they need. Additionally, crisis intervention teams trained in mental health should be available to respond to situations where individuals are disoriented or in distress, rather than relying solely on police intervention.
Archyde News Editor: Angelique expressed gratitude for the police’s help but emphasized that they are not equipped to provide the care she needed.How can we address this gap in care?
Dr. Eva Meijer: The police play a vital role in ensuring public safety, but they are not mental health professionals. We need to invest in specialized crisis response teams that include mental health experts who can de-escalate situations and provide immediate care. In some regions, programs like these have already been implemented with great success. For example, pairing mental health professionals with police officers during calls involving individuals in crisis can ensure that the person receives the appropriate care while maintaining public safety.
Archyde News Editor: Angelique felt dismissed by the GGZ when she repeatedly asked for therapy. What can be done to ensure that patients feel heard and supported when seeking help?
Dr. Eva meijer: This is a systemic issue that requires both cultural and structural changes. On a cultural level, mental health professionals must adopt a more empathetic and patient-centered approach. patients like angelique need to feel validated and understood, not dismissed.Structurally, we need to reduce waiting times and increase funding for mental health services.This includes hiring more staff, providing ongoing training, and creating clear pathways for patients to access the care they need. Additionally, implementing feedback mechanisms where patients can share their experiences can help identify areas for improvement.
Archyde News Editor: Recent data shows a troubling rise in disturbances caused by confused individuals in Brabant’s municipalities. What does this trend indicate about the state of mental health care in the region?
dr.Eva Meijer: This trend is a clear indicator that the current mental health care system is under significant strain. It suggests that many individuals are not receiving the support they need until they reach a crisis point. This is not only detrimental to the individuals involved but also places additional pressure on emergency services. To address this, we need to focus on early intervention and prevention. This includes increasing public awareness about mental health,reducing stigma,and ensuring that individuals can access care before their conditions escalate.
Archyde News Editor: what message would you like to share with individuals like Angelique who feel let down by the system?
Dr. Eva Meijer: To anyone who feels let down by the system, I wont to say: your struggles are valid, and you deserve care and support. While the system may be flawed, there are professionals and advocates working tirelessly to improve it. Don’t give up on seeking help. Reach out to support groups, advocacy organizations, or trusted individuals who can help you navigate the system. Change is slow, but your voice matters, and sharing your story, like Angelique has, is a powerful step toward driving that change.
Archyde News Editor: Thank you, Dr. Meijer, for your insights and for advocating for a more compassionate and effective mental health care system.
Dr. Eva Meijer: Thank you for raising awareness about this critical issue. Together, we can work toward a system that truly supports those in need.
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